Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I am very aware of the disruption experienced by students who are due to take their junior cycle examinations this year. The State Examinations Commission, SEC, with my Department, has been progressing planning for these examinations in consultation with, as I have previously outlined, the advisory group on planning for the State examinations, which has met on a number of occasions to consider this matter. As I previously said, I also met with this group on a bilateral basis over recent weeks.

Following consideration of this matter by the Government, today I announced decisions regarding this year’s leaving certificate and junior cycle examinations. I was happy to confirm that the junior cycle examinations will take place this summer for the first time since 2019 having been cancelled in 2020 and 2021 on foot of public health advice due to the impact of Covid-19. I was strongly of the view that these examinations should proceed this year. This year is the first year that all of the new subject specifications for junior cycle will be assessed by the SEC. A number of adjustments to the assessment arrangements for junior cycle have been published to take account of the impact of Covid and will provide for more teaching time in schools.

As part of the junior cycle, students normally complete a number of classroom-based assessments, CBAs, which have been reduced by 50%. The school also has autonomy in dealing with the CBAs regarding when they will be completed by students, with some exceptions. As CBAs are school-based assessments, schools have been advised that there are flexibilities in the windows for completion of the CBAs in light of particular circumstances within an individual school. The assessment task, which is usually assessed and marked by the SEC, will not be assessed in 2022 in the relevant subjects. Instead, the written examination will account for 100% of the marks, giving further time within the schools. Adjustments have been made to the requirements for practicals and coursework in subjects including, for example, music, home economics, art and technologies. No changes have been made to the other aspects of the examinations as these are already specific and very significant changes to their format. It is a recognition of the importance of running the exam for the first time in three years.

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